A Kirkland, Wash., Municipal Court judge yesterday "dismissed misdemeanor domestic violence charges" against NWSL Seattle Reign G HOPE SOLO "after her attorney successfully argued that the alleged victims had refused to be deposed by defense attorneys." Solo’s attorney said that her nephew and half-sister, whom she "was accused of assaulting at a family function in June, refused to answer relevant questions about the incident and skirted their depositions" (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/14). The U.S. Soccer Federation had "allowed Solo to continue to play while facing the charges," but had she been found guilty there was a "chance she could have been suspended through" the '15 FIFA Women's World Cup (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/14).
OFF TO THE RACES: NASCAR drivers JOEY LOGANO and BRAD KESELOWSKI yesterday "were running Shell Eco-marathon prototype versions on a specially built track" at Detroit's Cobo Center while "in town for the North American International Auto Show" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/14). Verizon IndyCar Series driver WILL POWER attended the auto show yesterday and took "care of some sponsorship business" to promote the May 29-31 Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/14). Logano, Keselowski and Power all drive for Team Penske in their respective racing series (THE DAILY).
NAMES: Former Univ. of Georgia RB TODD GURLEY "inked with Roc Nation Sports" to become "just the sixth football client" for the firm, joining DEZ BRYANT, VICTOR CRUZ, HAKEEM NICKS, GENO SMITH and NDAMUKONG SUH (AJC.com, 1/14)....PHIL MICKELSON and his wife, AMY, “have sold their compound in Rancho Santa Fe” for $5.725M (LATIMES.com, 1/14)....Int'l Tennis HOFer MARTINA NAVRATILOVA at age 58 “was married for the first time” to her longtime girlfriend, JULIA LEMIGOVA, who is 42 (N.Y. TIMES, 1/14)....IndyCar driver TONY KANAAN now “has a second son,” DECO, who was born last Friday in Miami (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/14).
